Embraced by Forgiveness: A New Creation in Christ
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
II Cor 5:16-21
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer. So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Grace Prayed For
This passage prompts us to pray for the grace of radical acceptance of God’s forgiveness and a profound desire to participate in His ministry of reconciliation. It’s a grace to truly believe that we are “new creations” and to allow that truth to transform how we see ourselves and others.
Reflection
As you read these powerful words from Second Corinthians, let them wash over you like a gentle, healing rain. Notice the profound shift Paul describes: “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.” This isn’t just a change in perspective; it’s a radical transformation that begins in the very depths of your being when you encounter Jesus. Think of the “old things” in your life—the mistakes, the regrets, the burdens you’ve carried, the shame that has whispered doubts in your ear. In Christ, these “have passed away.” Imagine them dissolving, like shadows before the dawn.
And what emerges in their place? “Behold, new things have come.” This is the breathtaking reality of being “a new creation” in Christ. It’s not about trying harder or being perfect; it’s about being fundamentally remade by a God who desires your wholeness, your freedom, your joy. This newness, this radical transformation, is entirely “from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ.” This is the heart of the Gospel for you: God, in His boundless love, took the initiative. He reached out to bridge the chasm of sin, not because we earned it, but because His very nature is love and forgiveness.
Consider this: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them.” This is the ultimate declaration of divine amnesty for you. No scorekeeping, no ledger of your failings. Just an open embrace. Jesus, who “did not know sin,” became sin for our sake, so that you might become the very “righteousness of God in him.” This is how deeply Jesus loved you, how completely He gave Himself for your redemption. He didn’t just forgive; He transformed you into His very likeness.
This profound, personal experience of forgiveness is not meant to stay contained within your heart. It overflows! Because you have been reconciled, you have now been “given the ministry of reconciliation.” You are “ambassadors for Christ,” called to extend the very same message of hope, healing, and forgiveness that you have received. Think of the radical impact Jesus has had on your life: the burdens lifted, the peace found, the purpose clarified, the joy reignited. It is this lived experience of His love and forgiveness that empowers you to say, “Be reconciled to God,” not as a mere command, but as a heartfelt invitation born of your own transformation. This intimate encounter with the Trinitarian God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who desires your forgiveness, now compels you to share that same desire with every person you meet.
Announcing Jesus in Our Lives
Sharing Your Story (When Appropriate): Authentically share how Jesus’ forgiveness and love have impacted your life, not to boast, but to give witness to His transformative power. This personal testimony is a powerful way to announce the Good News.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post